Internet Showdown: Cable vs Fiber vs Satellite Internet

Cable, fiber, and satellite internet are some types of internet. You must have any of them at your home or office. Different types of internet security methods, such as antivirus software and firewalls, protect systems from online threats.However, as common as these internet types are, most people may not know how they work. Or what is the best thing about these connections is.

That being said, I am going to answer the above questions and a few more in this article. If you want to know in detail what a cable, fiber, and satellite internet connection is, read on:

Cable Internet

Fiber Internet

Satellite Internet

Cable Internet

Cable internet is one of the most common types of internet connections available. One major reason contributing to its wide availability is the coaxial cables – the medium used to deliver cable television.

How Does it Work?

Cable internet includes a modem, router, coaxial wires, and a cable modem termination system (CMTS) – a piece of equipment housed at the internet service provider’s (ISP) location to deliver the internet. The coaxial wires connect the modem to the CMTS and the router provides internet access to wired and wireless devices.

Pros and Cons of Cable Internet

Unique Selling Point

The best thing about cable internet has to be the bundling option. Cable internet users can bundle TV, phone, and home security plans with their internet services. That being said, bundled plans may feel like an expensive option. But, if you’re using phone or TV services, bundling them with your cable internet may save you money.

Fiber Internet

Arguably, fiber internet is the fastest internet type. Unlike cable internet, fiber internet uses fiber optics, a thin strand of glass that is used to deliver the internet. 

How Does it Work?

In fiber internet, the data is converted into signals in the form of light pulses. These light pulses travel at the speed of light inside the fiber-optics cable, whose core is protected by cladding, which is a glass layer. These signals bounce in the fiber-optics cable to their destination. On the other end, a modem translates those light signals into data while a router provides internet access to wired and wireless devices.

Pros and Cons of Fiber Internet

Unique Selling Point

In fiber internet, users get symmetrical upload and download speeds. For HD streaming, connecting multiple smart-home devices, fast downloading, and more, a fiber internet connection, may be the best option.

Satellite Internet

A satellite internet transmits the internet using satellites orbiting around the world. Some satellites are launched in the lower orbit of the Earth, while some are launched in the higher orbit. 

How Does it Work?

In satellite internet, data is sent or received using radio waves. Initially, the data, in the form of radio waves, makes its way to the modem and then to the satellite dish. Then, the satellite dish transfers those radio waves to orbiting satellites. After that, those radio waves travel to a control center known as the network operations center (NOC). Finally, NOC sends back the processed radio signals, and the whole process is reversed. The modem translates those radio signals to data and we get satellite internet.

Pros and Cons of Satellite Internet

Unique Selling Point

The unique selling point of satellite internet is its availability. It’s because thousands of satellites have been launched in the Earth’s orbit and they cover a wide area. For instance, Starlink is the only ISP that covers the maximum area in the country and provides internet for boats as well.

Key Takeaways:

• Cable internet uses coaxial cable to deliver the internet. Fiber internet uses fiber optics and satellite internet delivers internet via satellites orbiting around the Earth.
• Cable internet is relatively cheaper than fiber internet. However, fiber internet provides symmetrical speeds.
• Satellite internet has the widest availability, whereas fiber internet covers less than 50% of the American population.